13. Traveling with your puppy in car

Create a pleasant association with the car i.e. play with the puppy, give small bit of food. Place puppy on a soft, non slippery and absorbent bedding.
Short journey initially are the best, building them up gradually. Allow puppy to settle in the car for few minutes before driving away.
Always close doors without slamming and do not start the engine until puppy is inside the car. Exhaust fumes and engine noise can be very frightening.
Drive considerately avoiding bumps and corners.

14. Visiting to Veterinarian

Visiting to vet will be a routine event for most dogs, at least yearly for vaccination
Some dogs/puppies may need to attend more frequently increasing the chance of challenging experiences occurring such as, regular examinations, hospitalization and meeting strangers. These may then be linked to the location and cause fearful association.
It is always recommended to take veterinarian advice on all the matter related to your dog / puppy.

15. Vaccination means protection

Just like humans, dogs need protection from certain infections. The majority of us are vaccinated against serious infectious diseases. So it is fair to vaccinate our pets as well.
Vaccination is very economical way to protect your pet against diseases, and it also helps to control the spread of diseases in the animal community
The Virbac vaccines available from veterinary clinic are manufactured to the highest safety standards, and are proven to be effective.
After vaccination care
Your pet might be little uncomfortable after vaccination and you may notice slight swelling at the vaccination site. More serious reactions should be immediately reported to your veterinarian. To ensure ongoing protection, we recommend you to revaccinate your pet every year.

16. Diseases your pet can be protected from vaccination

Canine Distemper – Highly contagious. Symptoms include loss of appetite, runny eyes and nose, vomiting, coughing and nervous signs. Treatment usually fails. Survivors usually have nerve damage.

Canine Hepatitis – A highly contagious disease mainly of younger dogs, causing fever, abdominal pain and hemorrhages. Sudden death can occur. Survivors may have permanent kidney damage. Jaundice and blue eye may occur.

Canine Parvovirus – Highly contagious, causing sudden vomiting and diarrhea. Parvovirus is most severe in puppies and can be fatal.

Kennel cough – A complex highly contagious disease, seldom fatal. Coughing can last for 10 weeks. Components of the disease which may be vaccinated against are:

• Canine Para influenza virus
• Canine Adenovirus type 2

Canine Leptospirosis – A severe liver and kidney disease, fatal in over 50% cases.
It is primarily caused by L.icterohaemorrhagiae and L.Canicola. Symptoms include high fever jaundice, vomiting and sore muscle. Dogs with Leptospirosis are often found to have been in areas where rats are infected. Human can catch Leptospirosis from infected dogs and other species.

Rabies – A highly fatal viral disease of canine and other warm blooded animals. It is transmitted from one dog to another through bite or through direct contact with saliva or rabid dog. Rabid dog can transmit this infection to human either through bite or through direct contact with saliva. Special care should be taken when children play with unvaccinated puppies. This disease can be prevented by vaccinating the puppies and dogs.

17. Boarding in kennels

It is not recommended to board puppies before 6 months of age. It is known that puppies under this age are more inclined to develop a fearful association with stimuli. Especially as they will be away from their familiar surroundings.
After 6 months of age puppies are less susceptible but will still be experiencing new stimuli and environments and may find them unnerving.

18. Bathing your Dog – some tips

• It is recommended to give bath to your dog in quite and comfortable environment.
  If necessary use lukewarm water to wet the whole body surface thoroughly ( area under belly, neck, the legs and feet ).
• A sponge can be used to wet the skin of the face.
• Apply coat cleanser ( Soap or shampoo ) all Over the body surface to produce good lather (read the label instruction of soap/shampoo). Take care around the face area to avoid eyes, nose, mouth and ears)
• Leave the lather on the dog for 5 – 10 min (as per label instruction). It allows active ingredient of soap / shampoo to work. While waiting engage the dog in some activity.
• Thoroughly rinse the coat to remove all lather.
• Thoroughly dry your dog using hand towel. After drying gently comb the hair.

19. Yours Dog’s Skin

Dogs have very different skin and hair growth pattern compared to humans. Your Dog’s skin is thinner and more sensitive compared to human skin. That’s why you should be very careful while selecting any skin care products for dogs. It is always advisable to use only those skin care products which are adapted to dog’s skin.
Consult your veterinarian for more information.

20. ‘Doggy Smell’

It is normal for the dog to have certain degree of odour. However many times odour can increase to become offensive. Using soap / shampoo with anti – odour complex can resolve such problem.
Some odour is related to underlying problem. Odour around the head may be due to oral or dental problems, or ear infections. Generalized odour may be due to seborrhoeic skin condion or skin infection. If you observe any offensive odour, immediately consult your veterinarian.

21. Protection from External Parasites – Ticks, Mites, Lice & Fleas

These external parasites are present on dogs coat, inside the ear and in the environment where dog lives.
Ticks, lice and fleas are visible from naked eyes while mites are not visible with naked eye.
It is always recommended to examine the dog’s skin for the presence of ecternal parasites. These parasites feed on the animal’s blood or sking tissues. So infested dog becomes anaemic with patchy skin lesions. If you see any such sign consult your vet immediately.
Apart from causing damage to your dog’s coat, there parasites also act as carrier for many diseases and some tape of worms.
To protect your dog from these external parasites it is important to keep the environment free from ticks, mites, lice and fleas.
There are some products available in the market which can keep your dog free from these external parasites for many months just after single application. They are in the form of collar or topical spray.

22. Oro – dental hygiene

Maintaining good oral hygiene is necessary as the dogs frequently suffer from periodontal diseases if not taken care. It may result in the foul and offensive smell from the mouth of your dog. There is frequent deposition of plaques on the surface of teeth, which need to be removed regularly otherwise it may result in infection (periodontal diseases)
Regular brushing of the teeth is helpful in removing the plaques. Use of the product aimed at chewing is proved to be useful in preventing plaque formation and overall oral hygiene.
Consult your vet for more information.

23. Nutritional Requirements of your Pet

The Nutrional requirement of your pet varies with age, breed and sex. It is necessary to provide the balanced diet to your pet to fulfill its nutritional requirement. Your dog can be given home made food or ready made food available in the market. It is very important to seek the expert advice ( your veterinarian ) before selecting diet plan for your dog.
Nutrional feed supplements like cod liver oil, minerals and vitamins supplements are recommended to prevent any possible deficiency of these nutrients.
Consult your vet for more information.